KC Atow about the losses versus Falcons and NIP: "It's a good blow to take"

Esports World Cup did not end in the best way for Karmine Corp, as the Blue Wall suffered back-to-back losses at home, first to Team Falcons in the semifinals before falling to Ninjas in Pyjamas in the third-place match. Following the two defeats, Tristan “Atow” Soyez joined us for an interview to discuss Karmine Corp’s EWC performance, the impact of these results on Worlds, and the level of Falcons.

Tristan "Atow" Soyez: “We lost against ourselves above all, even though Falcons were very strong. If we had played better, it wouldn't have been the same. We didn't play well individually or collectively, and there were a lot of problems at this level, which made it hard to show our best.

They're one of the best teams in the world. They punished us well, took their opportunities and defended well. We couldn't score, while they took advantage of every counterattack. We were missing everything; they had everything. They were better.

Atow: It's Rocket League. Against an even stronger team, it's harder to prove yourself. I just think we weren't ready. I don't know if it was mentality or something else, but we just didn't manage to be strong today. It's not luck.

Atow: For us, they were still our biggest rival of the tournament. We knew they were one of the best teams in the world by far. Even though they weren't at the Major, they were still training. We scrimmed against them because they are strong. We knew they were going to be a problem for us in the tournament.

Atow: No, I don't think so. In general, we didn't make enough of an effort. We didn't play together and we were struggling. I don't have an exact answer. Overall, it just wasn't going well.

Atow: We tried to get back into our boots for the next match, the small final. It was about putting things in place, reassuring everyone and saying that it's not a big deal. The most important thing is Worlds, which are in a month.

Atow: Again, there were a lot of individual mistakes. I don't think we played the BO well in general. There were a lot of mistakes. I don't have much to say, except that we're going to be better for Worlds.

Atow: No, I don't think it's a warning. I think we were much better. We literally gave away five goals in three games, and from that point, it's hard to score more than five goals in three games when the other team knows how to defend at least reasonably well.

I don't think there's anything to take away from it. I think we're still the better team. We're going to give everything for Worlds over the next month, try to fix everything and get back in shape.

Atow: Yeah, I think so. That's why there's a bit of frustration. We're not playing well at all, so there's less to learn. There are a lot of regrets for us. If we play very well and play our game and they play better than us, then we're going to learn for next time. There are so many mistakes. First, we need to fix them, and then we'll see. I don't think it's the same tournament if we play well.

Atow: No, I think we set ourselves goals at the beginning of the year. The goal was Worlds, and it stays that way. It's a good blow to take. We are hungry for the next tournament, so yeah, it sucks. We don't like losing, especially since we won in Paris.

We'd like to win again in Paris. But we're motivated. It just gives us even more of an urge to win, a bit like Falcons. They weren't there in Paris, they won the EWC and wanted to prove themselves. GG to them. Honestly, they deserved it.

Atow: We have to do better in general. We have to prepare better. We have to be better overall. There are no secrets.”